Bihar government distributes 'gifts' to MLAs

Patna: Bihar legislators have been "gifted" mobile phones and tablets among others by state ministries, with a senior minister saying these presents will help them discharge their responsibility fast and with greater efficiency.

According to reports, 19 ministries of the Nitish Kumar government provided "gifts" to MLAs and MLCs during the recent Budget Session of the Bihar Legislature that ended on April 22.

The gifts included mobile phones worth about Rs 10,000 a piece given by the Road Construction department, the reports said.

The Rural Development department gifted tablet computers to legislators while departments like Education and Tourism offered good-quality watches.

Similarly, the Industry Department provided jute bags along with sarees and shirts to MLAs and MLCs, much to their glee, the reports said.

However, Opposition BJP is not impressed and has questioned the practice when the region was reeling under the effect of natural calamities. Senior BJP leader and former deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi said it was not a good practise and added that he distributes the gifts among workers.